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Digital Transformation Guide: The Essential Components
July 20, 2022
March 13, 2023
Read time: 6 min
Credit: TheStandingDesk
Digital transformation is more than just a buzzword. It's a critical business process that can improve your company's efficiency and bottom line. While the initial thought of undertaking a digital business transformation can seem daunting, it's well worth the investment.
Let's consider the following statistics on digital transformation trends developing in 2022:
Logistically, adapting to new digital solutions may appear disruptive and annoying. It involves adopting different devices, new software programs, and specialized outsourced service providers. However, when implemented properly, the end result is improved efficiencies, happier employees, satisfied customers and greater profits.
This guide will walk you through the essential components of digital transformation, so you can get started on the right foot.
First, let's start with understanding what digital transformation is. In short, it's the process of using digital technologies to create new or improved business processes, products, and services. This can be done to improve customer experience, operational efficiencies or to enter new markets.
Examples of digital business transformation solutions include:
As you can see from the above examples, digital transformation services are unique to each business and serve different purposes, and no two strategies should look the same. However, what is similar in each of them is how the transformation results in improved efficiencies for each business.
Let's take a closer look at common digital transformation needs seen in different industries.
Enterprise businesses often have several moving parts and multiple data silos. Optimizing operational efficiencies and customer experiences are of extreme importance. These aspects often drive an enterprise's approach to a transformation.
Examples of digital transformation solutions for enterprises may include:
Government agencies are often complex with large systems that need to work together. A primary focus for many digital transformation initiatives in the public sector is to improve citizen experiences.
This often includes:
The supply chain is a critical part of many businesses. A digital transformation can help streamline processes and optimize the movement of goods. This is often done with the following solutions:
The manufacturing industry is one that has been particularly impacted by adapting to new digital technologies. New technologies have given manufacturers the ability to be agile and quickly adapt to changing customer demands.
Digital transformation solutions for manufacturers include:
The customer should always be at the forefront of a digital transformation. After all, these initiatives are often undertaken to improve their experience with a company or brand.
Customer experience transformations may include:
At the heart of every digital transformation is technology. Technology is what enables businesses to streamline their processes and improve their customer experience. It's the foundation that everything else is built on.
When considering what type of technology to adopt for your digital transformation, it's important to choose a solution that will be scalable and future-proof. You don't want to have to reinvest in new technology every few years.
For instance, businesses looking to scale their remote workforce can use zero touch technology to manage their company-owned computers, smartphones, and other devices assigned to employees.
The second key component of digital transformation are processes. Processes are what define how work gets done within your company. They provide the guidelines and framework for how tasks are completed, who is responsible for them and what tools and resources are required.
In the remote onboarding scenario described above, how an employee is assigned and distributed their company devices is the "process" part of the transformation.
The third and final key component of digital transformation are people. Your employees are the ones who will be using the new technology and processes to get work done. It's important to involve them in the digital transformation process from the beginning and to provide training on how to use the new systems.
A clear, well-developed roadmap is critical before undertaking any transformation process. This will ensure that everyone is on the same page and knows what needs to be done, when it needs to be done, and who is responsible for each task.
The roadmap should also include a plan for how you will measure the success of the digital transformation. This could include metrics such as employee satisfaction, customer retention, or operational efficiency.
Steps to consider when planning out a digital transformation strategy should include:
Enlist a digital transformation consultant: A specialized consultant can help you assess your business needs and develop a roadmap for success.
Conduct a digital readiness assessment: This will help you identify gaps in your current technology and processes and determine what needs to be improved.
Develop a governance model: This will define who is responsible for each aspect of the transformation and how decisions will be made.
Create a communication plan: This will ensure that everyone involved in the transformation is kept up-to-date on progress and knows what their role is in the process.
Implementing an overhaul of your digital assets can be a daunting task, but with a clear strategy in place, it can be a smooth and successful transition for your business.
Now that you have a digital transformation strategy in place, it's time to start looking at which services will best fit your business needs. If you haven't already enlisted the help of a digital transformation specialist, now would be the right time to do so.
Some of the most common digital transformation services considered by business owners include:
Employee Resource automation: This can help you automate repetitive tasks such as onboarding new hires or ordering supplies. For example, QB ZeroTouch from Quadbridge can transform the employee onboarding process.
Cloud computing: This allows you to store data and applications off-site, making them accessible from anywhere.
Managed IT Services: This can allow you to streamline essential IT services. Quadbridge offers managed IT services through our subsidiary DTM.
While a digital transformation can add immense value to all aspects of a business, like all new adaptations, it can come with challenges. For example, a business might need to adjust its organizational structure or adapt its product offerings to meet the new demands of the digital world.
That's why it's important to have a robust digital transformation roadmap in place that can help you navigate these challenges and ensure a smooth transition into the new digital age.
To fortify your transformation roadmap simply follow the steps outlined above, consult with a digital transformation specialist, and check in regularly with your team during each transformation phase.
Additionally, be willing to adjust your strategy as needed and always keep your digital transformation goals in sight.
Quadbridge can help you with every step of your digital transformation journey. From developing a roadmap to implementing new technologies, our team of experts will ensure a smooth transition for your business.
For more information on our services, contact us today.
Client profile
Industry: Environmental
Employees: 25-50
✓ Managed IT
✓ Managed M365
✓ Managed Backup
✓ Professional Service
✓ Managed Endpoint
After supporting Waterloo Biofilter with an office move, they quickly switched fromtheir current Managed Services Provider to Quadbridge. We now manage their entireIT environment and support their end-to-end IT needs.
• Quadbridge worked with the client to implement our Elite IT service thatprovides ongoing IT monitoring and management, responsive help desk,proactive service, and vCIO consulting
• We’ve become a fully trusted partner and have proactively led a number ofinitiatives to improve performance and advance their IT, including thefollowing services:
• Managed Cloud Backup: we optimized their backup strategy with anaccessible, cost-efficient cloud-based backup solution that our teamcontinuously monitors and assists with restore requests.
• Infrastructure Architecture: we upgraded their server infrastructure toimprove redundancy and performance – especially for employees workingremotely.
• Ad Hoc Requests: as the clients’ IT support, our team uses our range ofexpertise and onsite support capabilities to deliver on a range of simple andcomplex IT projects. These have included upgrading their conference roomsystems and completing a functional and aesthetic clean up of their cabling
Let us help you choose the right solution for your business.
Talk to an expert today!1 800-501-61721 800-655-3282info@quadbridge.cominfo@dtm.ca
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